During the summer months, the day-to-day operations of many small businesses change. Employees go on holiday, opening hours may vary, and a shop, salon, office or warehouse may be left with less supervision than usual for longer periods. These are precisely the times when it is worth considering whether the company’s security solutions and response plans actually work in practice.
According to Rasmus Peterson, Head of the Forus Control Centre, small business security is not only about locking the door and activating the alarm system. It is equally important to make sure that, in the event of an alarm, the information quickly reaches the right people and that someone is able to respond if needed.
In small businesses, security often depends heavily on specific individuals. The owner knows who locks the doors, who activates the alarm system, who responds to alerts and who has the keys. In summer, however, this usual routine can change. Temporary staff may be covering shifts, opening hours may be shorter and there may be fewer people moving around the premises. In some cases, the premises may be left completely empty for several days or even weeks. This means that even a small mistake can create a greater risk.
The most common problems often come down to simple things:
- the alarm system is not activated;
- a door or window is not properly closed;
- a temporary employee does not know exactly how to use the alarm system;
- contact person details are outdated;
- it is unclear who should respond in the event of an alarm;
- the use of keys and access codes has not been properly thought through.
Security risks are not limited to break-ins
When it comes to small business security, people often think first and foremost about preventing theft or break-ins. In reality, damage can also be caused by other incidents, especially when premises are left empty for longer periods or are used irregularly.
Potential risks include, for example:
- water leaks;
- smoke or fire;
- electrical faults;
- technical system failures;
- storm damage;
- a door or window left open;
- a fault in an electrical device or other work equipment.
In these situations, speed matters. If the information reaches the control centre or the responsible person in time, the damage can often be limited before it becomes significant.
Temporary staff need to know more than just the door code
Many small businesses use temporary staff during the summer period. This is completely normal, but from a security perspective it requires special attention. A person who is only working temporarily may not know all the details of the premises, equipment or alarm system.
Before the holiday period begins, it is worth checking whether temporary staff know:
- how to arm and disarm the alarm system;
- what to do in the event of a false alarm;
- who to notify if there is a problem;
- where the keys or access cards are kept;
- which doors and windows must be checked when closing;
- how to respond to a water, smoke or technical alarm.
It is important that instructions are simple and easy to access. If information exists only in one person’s head, the company becomes vulnerable during that person’s holiday. The same applies to responding to alarms: if the responsible person is on holiday, abroad or unable to answer the phone, it must be clear who receives the information next and who can go to the premises if needed.
Before the summer period, it is therefore worth checking whether the security partner has the correct contact details and whether the list of contact persons reflects the actual working arrangement. If the owner is on holiday, it should be clear who is the first, second and, if necessary, third contact person in their place.
It should also be clear whether the contact person can arrive quickly if needed, knows how to access the premises, understands the specific features of the site and is able to assess whether the situation requires urgent action or additional assistance.
Technical monitoring helps detect problems before the damage grows
Technical monitoring helps a small business detect situations that a person cannot see remotely. If smoke, a water leak, an electrical fault or another alarm occurs on the premises, it is important that the information is not left to chance.
A well-designed security solution does more than signal a break-in — it also helps monitor other risks that may cause damage to the business. This is especially important in premises where goods, equipment, documents, refrigerators, work tools or customers’ property are kept.
For example, a small leak may seem insignificant at first, but if it is only discovered several days later, the damage can be considerable. The same applies to smoke, an electrical fault or a door left open. That is why it is worth carrying out a simple security check before the summer holiday period, so that a problem is not discovered only after the damage has already been done.
It is worth checking:
- whether the alarm system is working properly;
- whether all employees and temporary staff know how to use the system;
- whether contact person details have been updated;
- whether someone can actually respond in the event of an alarm;
- whether doors, windows and back rooms have been checked;
- whether cameras, sensors and other devices are working;
- whether water leak, smoke or other technical sensors are in good working order;
- whether the use of keys, access cards and codes has been properly considered;
- whether unnecessary risks have been removed from premises that will be closed for a longer period.
Security for a small business does not have to mean a complicated system. The most important thing is that responsibilities are clear and information moves quickly. If the owner is on holiday, someone else must know what to do in the event of an alarm.
According to Rasmus Peterson, a well-functioning security solution gives business owners peace of mind precisely when they cannot be on site themselves. Alarm systems, technical sensors and a functioning response chain help reduce the risk that a small problem will grow into major damage.
Would you like to review the security solution for your shop, salon, office or warehouse before the summer holiday period? Explore Forus’ technical monitoring options and contact our specialists.
